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 The Election Judges who operate the polling
place are a very important part of the electoral process. These persons are the only
contact the Board of Elections has with the general public during voting hours and are
responsible for administering the actual voting procedures in each precinct. Without
these individuals, it would be impossible to conduct an election.
All Election Judges must make sure that
qualified voters are able to cast their vote in a trouble-free environment. They represent the entire electoral process and may be the only person
a voter has contact with when exercising his or her franchise. Therefore, the
Election Judge must be reliable and courteous, present a neat appearance, be able to
follow procedures exactly, and above all, possess good judgment.
Types of Election Judges
1.) Chief Judges: In each voting precinct, a Democrat and Republican Chief Judge are
appointed. On election day these individuals are employees of the Board of
Elections who
share equally the responsibilities of managing the polling place. Their
responsibilities include making sure all their workers are ready for election day
business, checking that machines are delivered and the telephone is operating in the
polling room, opening the polling place on time, guaranteeing that all procedures are
followed in the polling place on election day, supervising the precinct tally of voters
and ballots cast after the close of the polls, seeing to it that all forms are properly
completed, and delivering the voting results and supplies to the Counting Center on election night.
Should a question arise as to the way voting progressed in a precinct,
both Chief Judges are held accountable.
2.) Election Judge: Those assisting the Chief Judges in a polling place are called Election
Judges. The number of registered voters in each precinct determines the
number of judges assigned to each precinct. All Judges assist in opening
the polling place, and at the end of the day, canvassing the results of the
day's vote. The Chief Judges will assign specific duties to each Judge.
Various duties include the processing of voters, and acting as a demonstrator of the voting process. Election Judges are under
the direct supervision of the Chief Judges.
3.) Alternate
Election Judge: The individual appointed as an Alternate Election Judge
play a vital part in the electoral process. Judge must be appointed months before an
election, and sometimes situations arise where a Judge cannot fulfill his/her obligation
(death in the family, sudden business changes, etc.). The Alternate Election Judge
receives the same training as other Judges, but are on standby until after the elections
are held. The Board of Elections may call upon an individual serving in this capacity
to fill a vacancy prior to or on election day itself. It is important that one
accept appointment as an Alternate Election Judge only if he or she intends to be available
should the need to serve arise.
Term of
Office
Election Judges are appointed biennially
(Article 33, Section 10-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland) thirteen
weeks prior to any regularly scheduled primary election and serve until after the general
election. Therefore, each person accepting appointment as an Election Judge should
be available for the primary and general election to be held in a given year.
Qualifications
1.) An Election Judge must be a registered Democrat or Republican except as provided in subsection (a.). In larger precincts, unaffiliated and/or those affiliated with a minority party may serve as Election Judges.
a. A person 17 years old can be appointed as an election judge if they will be qualified to register to vote in Harford County at age 18.
2.) An Election Judge
must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
3.) An Election Judge
may not be a candidate, a campaign manager for a candidate, or a treasurer for a candidate
or political committee.
4.) An Election Judge
must be physically able to work continuously throughout the entire day, 6 a.m. through
approximately 9 p.m.
5.) An Election Judge
may not engage in partisan or political activity while on duty in a polling place.
6.) An Election Judge must be 17 years
of age and older.
Compensation
Chief Judges are paid $175.00 for each day
served. Election Judges are paid $140.00 for each day served.
Alternate
Election Judges are paid the same salary as the person for whom they substitute. If
an Alternate Election Judge is not called to step in for an Election Judge, they will be
paid $35.00 for serving standby.
Training
Session for All Judges
Chief Judges, Election Judges, and Alternate
Election Judges will receive $30.00 as compensation for taking a mandatory course of
instruction, except that such compensation will not be paid if the Judge refuses to serve
on election day, unless excused by the Board of Elections. Payment for the training session will
be included in the regular paycheck for election day work.
Should
it be Necessary to Resign
An Election Judge who finds it necessary to
resign must send his or her written request stating the reason for not serving on election
day to the Board of Elections. The Board will make a determination as
to the acceptability of that request.
Election Judges
Working Outside Their Home Precinct
Maryland law provides that all persons
employed by the Board of Elections who are unable to vote in their home precinct shall vote
by absentee ballot. Election Judges who are assigned to work outside their home
precinct should complete the absentee ballot application that will be included with their
letter of appointment. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to fill last-minute
vacancies with Election Judges who live outside of the area of the polling place in which
they work. It is incumbent upon those individuals to call the Board of
Elections and
request an absentee ballot. Every effort will be made by the Board of
Elections staff
to send an application and an absentee ballot.
INTERESTED?
If you wish to be considered for election day
employment, please contact the Harford County Board of Elections at 410-638-3565
between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Harford County Board of Elections
133 Industry Lane, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050
(voice) 410-638-3565 (fax) 410-638-3310 (tty) 410-638-3086
e-mail: elections@harfordcountymd.gov
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